|
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
|
||||
 |
||||
|
FORM
8-K
|
||||
|
Current
Report
|
||||
|
Pursuant
to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
|
||||
|
Date
of
Report (Date of earliest event reported):
February 14, 2007
|
||||
|
CATERPILLAR
INC.
(Exact
name
of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
||||
|
Delaware
(State
or
other jurisdiction of incorporation)
|
||||
|
1-768
(Commission
File Number)
|
37-0602744
(IRS
Employer
Identification No.)
|
|||
|
100
NE Adams Street, Peoria, Illinois
(Address
of
principal executive offices)
|
61629
(Zip
Code)
|
|||
|
Registrant's
telephone number, including area code:
(309) 675-1000
|
||||
|
Former
name
or former address, if changed since last report: N/A
|
||||
|
Check
the
appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following
provisions:
|
||||
|
o
|
Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
CFR
230.425)
|
|||
|
o
|
Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
230.425)
|
|||
|
o
|
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17
CFR
240.14d-2(b))
|
|||
|
o
|
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17
CFR
240.13e-4(c))
|
|||
|
*
* * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * *
*
|
Item
8.01.
Other Events
The
following
statement was released by Caterpillar Inc. on February 14, 2007. The furnishing
of these materials is not intended to constitute a representation that such
furnishing is required by Regulation FD or that the materials include material
investor information that is not otherwise publicly available. In addition,
the
Registrant does not assume any obligation to update such information in the
future.
February
14, 2007
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Caterpillar,
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi are in Discussions
on New Ownership Structure of Japanese Joint Venture
Companies
have
agreed to proceed with discussions, which would lead to Caterpillar
becoming
the
majority shareholder in Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd.
TOKYO,
Japan-Executives
from
Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (MHI) and Shin
Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd. (SCM) have signed a nonbinding memorandum of
understanding to conclude a plan that would result in a new ownership structure
for SCM.
The
companies are
in discussions with the intention of reaching definitive agreements for the
plan
where Caterpillar would own the majority of the outstanding shares of SCM,
with
MHI owning the remaining shares.
Caterpillar’s
board
of directors has voted in support of proceeding with the discussions for the
plan. In conjunction with the plan, Caterpillar and MHI have also agreed to
discuss the creation of a new comprehensive joint venture agreement as well
as
certain definitive agreements for implementation of the plan. These definitive
agreements would be subject to applicable regulatory approvals.
“Caterpillar’s
success in the Asia Pacific region is a critical part of the company’s long-term
strategy, both in terms of the importance of this region to our global
manufacturing operations and because of the enormous growth opportunity
represented by the vast number of customers in the region who are using our
machines and engines to build a better world,” said Stu Levenick, Caterpillar
group president with responsibility for Asia Pacific. “The integration of SCM
employees, dealers and suppliers into Caterpillar’s global business will be a
key element of our success as Team Caterpillar executes our long-term enterprise
strategy.”
SCM
is primarily
involved in the design, manufacture and sale of Caterpillar branded construction
and earthmoving equipment. SCM also owns several Caterpillar dealers and
Caterpillar rental stores located in key markets in Japan. SCM production
facilities in Akashi and Sagami are major manufacturing centers, providing
Caterpillar products to Asia and the world. In addition, Shin Caterpillar
Mitsubishi’s hydraulic excavator design center in Akashi is the global home for
the design of Caterpillar’s hydraulic excavator product line.
About
Caterpillar:
For
more than 80
years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making progress possible and driving positive
and sustainable change on every continent. With 2006 sales and revenues of
$41.517 billion, Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction
and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, and industrial gas
turbines. The company is also a leading services provider through Caterpillar
Financial Services, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services, Caterpillar Logistics
Services and Progress Rail Services. More information is available at
http://www.cat.com.
About
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries:
Mitsubishi
Heavy
Industries, Ltd. (MHI), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the world's
leading heavy machinery manufacturers, with consolidated sales of 2,792 billion
yen in fiscal 2005 (year ended March 31, 2006). MHI's diverse lineup of products
and services encompasses shipbuilding, power plants, chemical plants,
environmental equipment, steel structures, industrial and general machinery,
aircraft, space rocketry and air-conditioning systems. For more information,
please visit the MHI website (http://www.mhi.co.jp).
SAFE
HARBOR
Certain
statements
in this release relate to future events and expectations and as such constitute
forward-looking statements involving known and unknown factors that may cause
actual results of Caterpillar Inc. to be different from those expressed or
implied in the forward-looking statements. In this context, words such as "will"
and "expect" or other similar words and phrases often identify forward-looking
statements made on behalf of Caterpillar. It is important to note that actual
results of the company may differ materially from those described or implied
in
such forward-looking statements based on a number of factors and uncertainties,
including, but not limited to, changes in economic conditions, currency exchange
or interest rates; political stability; market acceptance of the company's
products and services; significant changes in the competitive environment;
changes in law, regulations and tax rates; and other general economic, business
and financing conditions and factors described in more detail in the company's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Form 8-K
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 26, 2007. We do
not
undertake to update our forward-looking statements.
Caterpillar
contact:
Rusty
Dunn
Corporate
Public
Affairs
(309)
675-4803
Dunn_Rusty@cat.com
Jim
Dugan
Government
Relations & Corporate Affairs
Caterpillar
Asia
Pacific Operations
Office
(86-10) 5921
0166
dugan_jim@cat.com
|
*
* * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * *
*
|
|
SIGNATURES
|
||
|
Pursuant
to
the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant
has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.
|
||
|
CATERPILLAR
INC.
|
||
|
February
15,
2007
|
By:
|
/s/
James
B. Buda
|
|
|
||
|
James
B.
Buda
|
||
|
Vice
President
|
||